History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 91

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1922
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1767

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 91

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

William R. Strong, cashier of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Chetek, is one of the rising young men of the city and county. Born and reared here, he has identified himself with the daily life of the place, he is active in public affairs, is popular with all who know him. He is well fitted by temperament and training for the banking business, and his pleasing personality and sound methods are a factor in the standing which the bank enjoys in the community. He was born June 20, 1892, the oldest son of De Witt C. and Emma M. (Robbins) Strong. He was educated in the public schools and graduated from the Chetek High School in the class of 1910. As a youth he was variously employed. On Aug. 20, 1913, he became assistant cashier of the Farmers & Merchants Bank,

Digitized by Google

540

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

and on Feb. 10, 1920, assumed the duties of his present position. Fraternally, . he is a Blue Lodge Mason. He was married Dec. 25, 1920, at Rice Lake, Wis , to Helen Olsen of Cameron, who was born Aug. 6, 1896.

Charles Nelson Strong, an early settler of Chetek, is one of the men who have been instrumental in the building of this part of the county. Through his connection with lumber work he was familiar with local conditions before he acquired his farm, and he had faith in the development here of an agricul- tural region, although it seemed to many that farming could not be made profitable among the stumps and brush. He himself demonstrated that a good farm could be developed, he encouraged others to locate here, and he helped some to get a start. He realized that roads and schools are necessary for the development of any region, and he assisted in the starting of both in his neigh- borhood. Now, after an industrious life, filled with worthy endeavor, success- fully accomplished, he is spending his years in retirement in Chetek, where he has the esteem and respect of all who know him. He was born in Collins, Erie County, New York, July 20, 1847, the son of Nelson and Diana (Moon) Strong. The father, who was a farmer and cheesemaker, was born in New York City, Nov. 10, 1808, lived for a number of years in Cattaraugus County, New York, and died in Erie County, New York. The mother was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, February, 1810, and died there, August, 1847. In the family there were seven children: Lamira (deceased), Orville C. (deceased), Electa F. (deceased), Perry DeWitt (deceased), Esther Ann (deceased), Myron H. and Charles N. The mother died when Charles N. was an infant of six weeks, and he was reared in the home of Eli Taber, who brought him to a farm in Dane County, Wis., in the spring of 1860, when he was twelve years old. In the spring of 1866 he worked on a farm in Cook's Valley, in Chippewa County, Wis. The next year he bought hay and oats in the employ of Senator William M. Price. Then he came to Barron County and worked in the pineries for two seasons. In 1868 he borrowed one dollar with which to purchase a plat of the town of Chetek, and after looking the map over he located 160 acres in the west half of the northwest quarter of section 23, and the south half of the southwest quarter of section 14. Later he bought 40 acres in the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 23, making 200 acres in all. This land consisted of hardwood openings. Here he built a log cabin and started to clear and break the land. For a while he increased the family income by driving teams carrying supplies to the lumber camps. As time passed, he erected a comfortable frame house and a good set of buildings and by hard work developed a good farm. March 1, 1910, he rented the place and purchased a house and three acres of land in Chetek city on the shores of Lake Chetek. He repaired and remodeled the house and beautified the grounds. While Mr. Strong has never cared to seek public office, he is interested in public affairs and exerts considerable influence. He was one of those instrumental in the building of the first school in the township in 1870, Mrs. J. N. Plato being the first teacher therein. In that year he also helped to build a road one mile south of Rice Lake to Pokegema Creek. This road, 16 feet wide, is believed to have been the first improved public highway in the township. Mr. Strong is a believer in everything that tends toward agricultural progress, he helped to build the first creamery in the township, called Moose Ear Creamery, and located in section 22, and he is a stockholder in the Farmers store at Chetek. Fraternally, he is past master of Chetek Lodge, No. 277, A. F. & A. M., in which organization he has taken a deep interest. He is also active in the Maccabees. Mr. Strong was married Dec. 8, 1871, to Martha M. Sexton, who was born at Jefferson, Wis., Sept. 27, 1841, the daughter of E. M. Sexton. Mr. Sexton was the first district attorney of Barron County, and died June 10, 1920. Mr. and Mrs. Strong had two children: Carrie A. and Charles Claude. Carrie A. was born Sept. 3, 1873, and married Frank Hambly, who is connected with a monu- ment establishment at Strathroy, Province of Ontario, Canada, and has one

Digitized by Google

M. W. REARDON AND FAMILY

Digitized by Google

541

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

child, Margaret Grace, born Jan. 8, 1909. Charles Claude was born Feb. 6, 1875, and died Sept. 6, 1876. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian Church.

Archie H. Calhoun, of the firm of Calhoun Brothers, meat dealers, Chetek, was born in section 21, Chetek Township, June 1, 1889, son of Samuel and Minnie (Miller) Calhoun, the early settlers. He was reared on the farm and received his early schooling in the rural schools. As a young man he worked for about a year in an abattoir, but most of his life has been spent on the home farm. In April, 1919, he became a partner with James Malloy, who had just severed connection with another partner, in the meat business at Chetek, under the firm name of Malloy & Calhoun. In April, 1921, the firm became Calhoun Brothers. The company does a good and increasing business, being the only establishment in Chetek that is devoted exclusively to the meat busi- ness. The partners own their building, all their meats come from their own abattoir, and they are in high favor with the public as business men and as public citizens. Mr. Calhoun was married in Chetek, June 25, 1919, to Lilly Hansen, who was born in Nebraska, Aug. 31, 1890, daughter of Hans J. and Dorothy Hansen, who were born in Denmark, came to America, settled in Iowa, then moved to northern Michigan, later came to Barron County, then went to Nebraska, where they homesteaded a farm, subsequently retiring and coming to Chetek where they now live. Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Charles H. Sibbet, chief of the Chetek fire department and proprietor of a confectionery store here, is one of the prominent men of the place. He has built up a good business and has taken an interest in public affairs and is interested in various local enterprises. He was born in Eau Claire, Wis., Jan. 5, 1876, son of George and Mary (Farrigan) Sibbet. The paternal grandfather came from Scotland and settled in New Jersey. From there the father came west in the early days and settled in Eau Claire, when that city was a strag- gling lumber village. There he married, his wife having been born on ship- board while her parents were coming over from Ireland. They located in Wau- kesha County, this state, and from there moved to Eau Claire. Mrs. Mary Sibbet is still living in Eau Claire. In the family there were five children: Charles H., a business man of Chetek; George, who married Ella Meyers and lives in Minneapolis; Bert, who married Ada Grannum and lives in Eau Claire; Avis, who married Oliver Flickoy and died January, 1909; and Ralph, who lives in Minneapolis. Charles H. started work for himself at the age of 14 years. For five years he worked in the lumbering industry along the Chippewa and Flambeau rivers. Then he became foreman of the wood department of the Dells Pulp & Paper Co. for seven years. His next employment was as foreman of the logging operations of the Dells Lumber & Shipping Co. Then he came to Chetek and opened a confectionery store, in which he has been successful. He is a stockholder in the Grand Opera House Co. of Chetek, in the Wisconsin Stock Farms Co. of Chetek, and in the Barron County Canning Co. of Chetek. He is treasurer of the Community Club. Fraternally, he is a Mason and a Modern Woodman. Mr. Sibbet was married Aug. 18, 1897, at Eau Claire, Wis., to Harriett Blashfield, daughter of Orsamus Marion and Anna Belle (Beebe) Blashfield, natives respectively of New York and Vermont. The Beebes came to Eau Claire in 1856 with the earliest pioneers. Orsamus Blashfield was twice married. By his first marriage the children were: Dean, Edward and Emma. By his second wife the children were: Belle, Charles, Gertrude, Ida, Harriett and Josephine.

Mathew W. Rearden, veteran of the Civil War and early settler of section 23, west, Chetek Township, is one of the best known men in this part of the county. He has been a man of unusual strength and vigor and is now a hale and hearty old gentleman, a lover of good cheer and genial company, who has a fine sense of humor and enjoys a good joke, and through all the hardships he has undergone has kept a courageous spirit and has stood for everything he has believed to be just and right and now occupies a position of honor and

Digitized by Google

542

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

respect among all who know him. He is liked by his associates, looked up :0 by the younger folk and beloved by the children and his personality is int r- woven into the story of the growth of this part of the township. He was br n in County Tipperary, Ireland, July 4, 1844, the son of Mathew and Mary (Lah( r) Rearden, being one of their family of four boys and four girls. The father & id a son, Patrick, came first to the United States and located at Marcellon, in Columbia County, ten miles from Portage, Wis. There they were joined by 1 1e mother and Mathew W., Mary and Ellen. While still under age, Mathew V. enlisted in the 23rd Wisconsin Infantry for service in the Civil War, but : is mother refused to give her permission and took him home. Determined, hc w- ever, he ran away and enlisted in Company F, Second Ohio Cavalry, and served a year, being attached most of that time to the headquarters of General Phil Sheridan. He was mustered out in Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, was discharged at Columbus, O., and returned to Columbia County, where for some years be was employed on various farms. In 1879 he came to Barron County and tool a homestead in Chetek Township. Here he and his family started in with alme st nothing. He put up a log cabin and having no stove, improvised a cooking place by building up a stone fireplace capped with a barrel. He soon traded his oxen for a team of horses, and was thus able to speed up his farm work a little. Often he walked to Eau Claire for supplies. But with all the inconveniences of pioneer life, he persevered and won success. He has built up a good farm, which is a credit to himself and his family. He has taken great pride in the upbringing of his family and has given them good school and collegiate training, so that all are doing well in their respective walks in life. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Rearden was married in 1867 to Margaret Ellen Carey, who upon her death left two children : Mary May, now living, and Kate, deceased. On Sept. 27, 1878, at Portage City, Wis., Mr. Rearden married Katherine Mallon, who was born in Marcellon, Columbia County, Wis., June 11, 1858. This union has been blessed by six children: Agnes, Daniel, Mary, Eva, Irene and Mathew. The last mentioned died in infancy.

Theodore Amundson was born in Norway, and was there reared and educated. He came to America at the age of sixteen. At Westby, Wis., he married Mary Evanson, who was born in Norway and came to this country at the age of nineteen. They came to this county in 1873 and located in Maple Grove Township, where they were among the early settlers. The country was then wild, with only a few scattered settlers. They developed a farm in the wilderness and lived to see the town change into a flourishing and prosperous community. They were the parents of eight children: Ada, Amelia, Matilda, Bergina, Ottilia, Fred, Melvin, Carl Bjalmer and Hilda Helmina. Ada is the wife of Peter Adolph, of Maple Grove Township. Amelia Matilda married first Ole Larson, and then Mark Nelson, now of Superior. Bergina is the wife of Martin E. Weldon. Ottilia is the wife of Gust Winthrone, of Dallas Township, this county. Fred married Lena Olson, of Maple Grove Township. Melvin mar- ried Agnes Gunderson, and lives in Cedar Lake Township, this county. Carl Bjalmer married Hilda Lien, of South Dakota, and lives on the home farm in Maple Grove Township. Hilda Helmina married Herman Boortz of Maple Grove Township.

Jackson Weldon was born in Indiana, his father being a native of England. He was married in that state to Amanda Nichols and there lived until coming to Barron County in 1882. He settled in Maple Grove Township, developed a good farm, and there successfully carried on general agricultural operations until 1907. He and his wife and family stood well in the community and their home was a center of hospitality and good cheer. When they retired they moved to Chetek, where he died in May, 1916. She now makes her home in Chetek, where she has a pleasant home, her son, David, making his home with her. In the family there were five children: Martin Elmer, Mary, David, Alva and Alma May. Martin Elmer farms in Chetek Township. Mary died at the age of about fourteen years. David lives with his mother, as noted. He married Ethel Carey.

Digitized by Google

LENA ERICKSON

Digitized by Google

543

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

Alva married Eliza Christenson, daughter of Charles Christenson of Maple Grove. Alma May is the wife of Nicholas May of Milwaukee.

Martin Elmer Weldon, a well-to-do and substantial farmer of section 24, Chetek Township, was born Feb. 5, 1871, in Fulton County, Ind., on the farm of his parents, Jackson and Amanda (Nichols) Weldon, who brought him to Maple Grove Township in 1882. He assisted his parents with the farm work and as a young man was given eighty acres by his father. This was all wild. He broke and developed it and erected suitable buildings. Later he bought 80 more from his father and 40 from his father-in-law, Theodore Amundson, making 200 acres. He sold the eighty he purchased from his father, and now has a good farm of 120 acres. He carried on general farming and made a spe- cialty of stock raising and dairying, keeping a herd of Guernsey grade cattle headed by a pure blooded sire. In 1920 he rented this farm and purchased his present place from Jason Pelton. Here he has made general improvements, including the construction of a basement to the house. He carries on general farming, raising Guernsey cattle, Poland China swine and good poultry. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Mercantile Co. and the Farmers Garage, both of Chetek. Mr. Weldon was married Oct. 26, 1898, to Bergina, widow of Edwin Wood and daughter of Theodore and Mary (Evanson) Amund- son. This union has been blessed with three children. Lester was born Nov. 18, 1899, and died Nov. 5, 1901. Iva Viola was born Oct. 5, 1902, and is now taking domestic science in the Stout Institute at Menomonie, Wis. Leslie was born Dec. 2, 1904, and attends the Chetek High School.

William Partridge, ranking well in the foremost among the substantial and respected men of Chetek Township, was born in Plymouth, England, May 10, 1850, the youngest of the six children of Henry and Betsey (Goddard) Par- tridge, who spent the span of their years in that country. William had but little opportunity for schooling, and as a youth worked at such occupations as he could find. In 1872 he decided to try his fortunes in America. Accordingly, he set out, and in due time reached St. Johns, Newfoundland, where he was em- ployed in the copper mines. From there he went to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he worked in the gold and coal diggings. Subsequently for two years he was identified with the Royal Engineers, Sappers and Miners, working in the construction of Fort Hamilton, in the Bermudas. Next he worked on the Canadian Pacific Railroad. Then after being employed at general work at Buxton, Maine, for a while, he helped in the construction of the Bangor & Rustic Railroad. Next he worked on the Allegany Railroad, and finally entered the employ of the Sault Ste. Marie. In this employ he came to Duluth, Minn., and then to Cameron, in this county. In September, 1901, he started farming in Chetek Township. He has a good farm of his own which he successfully operates, and he also manages the neighboring farm owned by Lena Erickson. Mr. Partridge is interested in public affairs, and is a great reader, and although he has not cared to serve in public office he has taken his share in everything that he has believed to be for the best interests of the community at large.

Lars Erickson, an early settler of section 15, east, Chetek Township, now deceased, was a hard working, industrious man, who did his duty as he saw it, in every walk of life, built up a good farm, and in dying left to his family and friends the memory of a worthy and well spent life. He was born in Norway, and was there reared and educated. As a young man he married Grace Halgerson, the daughter of a neighbor. She died in 1871, leaving four children : Anton, Eliza, Ama Helen, better known as Lena, and Grace. Later the father married Catherine Halgerson, and by this union had one child, Gustave. He brought the family to America in 1879, and soon afterward located on a tract of land in section 15, east, Chetek Township, this county. He erected a log cabin, moved his family into it, and with no resources except his health and courage, started to establish a home and a farm. There were many privations to endure, but he persevered, and became one of the solid and substantial men of the township. A few years after his arrival, he was severely injured, and

Digitized by Google

544

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

the care of the place then fell on the wife and children. He died in 1888. The place is now owned by the daughter, Lena, and is operated by William Par- tridge. Miss Erickson is one of the well known women of the community. She takes her part in church and social affairs, she contributes liberally to public causes, and is always willing to lend a hand to those less fortunate than her- self. She is of gracious, kindly temperament, bubbling over with good cheer and practical sense, and is beloved by all who know her. She has given a mother's love and care to a boy, Lawrence Alvin Amundson, born June 22, 1894, the son of Gilbert and Eliza (Erickson) Amundson. Mr. Amundson is one of the energetic young men of the township, grew up on this place, attended the district school, and still lives at home and assists with the work on the farm.

Stephen Wasko, who owns a good farm in section 13, west, Chetek Town- ship, was born in Austria-Hungary, May 25, 1878, the son of Paul and Helen Wasko. He lost his father when he was an infant and was reared by his good mother. From his boyhood up, he was fond of fine horses, and as a youth he became a coachman. Like the other young men of his country, he served three years in the standing army. In 1903 he came to the United States, and after landing in New York, came west to Chicago, where he remained for six years, taking care of horses and working as a night watchman. While there he was married July, 1910, to Mary Jozephik, who was born in Austria, March 19, 1880, and as a young lady came to the United States alone. Three children, Stephen, Joseph and Mary, were born in Chicago. In 1909 he brought his family to Rusk County, in this state, and secured forty acres of wild land, on which he put up a log cabin. He had no money, and nothing to start with, so for a while he had to seek what employment he could get. Later he devoted his time exclu- sively to the farm. In 1914 he sold out and bought another eighty acres in the same county. A set of old buildings was then standing on the place. He erected a new set, improved the land, and purchased good equipment. In 1918 he came to Barron County and purchased his present improved place of 115 acres. He here carries on general farming and raises good stock. He has taken his part in the life of the community, and is a shareholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery, the Cooperative Mercantile Co. and the Potato Warehouse Associa- tion, all of Chetek. He and his family attend the Catholic Church. The children born to him and his wife in Rusk County are: Anna, Charles, Frank, Rose, Josephine and Edward.

Dayton Cyrus Latshaw, manager of a large potato warehouse at Chetek, was born in Venango County, Pa., Nov. 28, 1874, son of Joseph and Catherine (Tinsman) Latshaw, natives of Pennsylvania, who lived at Barkeyville, in that state, for many years, and about 1877 settled on a homestead in Gage County, Nebr., where both died. In the family there were seven children: Alpheus, Amelia, Samuel, Margaret, Jessie, Dayton Cyrus and Earl. Alpheus lives in Missouri. Amelia married Bryant Wilson of Salt Lake City, Utah. Samuel is living in Nebraska. Margaret is the wife of Charles Pitman of Chetek. Jessie is the wife of William Moots of Nebraska. Earl married Bertha Stanley and lives in Nebraska. Dayton Cyrus was taken to Gage County, Neb., as a child, and was there reared and educated and taught farm pursuits. In 1894 he rented a farm of 160 acres in the neighborhood of the home farm and operated it for some seven years. He came to Wisconsin in 1901 and located at Bruce, where he purchased a small farm. Two years later he went back to Nebraska and operated a farm for his brother-in-law, Frank Albert. In 1904 he came to Chetek and secured a farm in Chetek Township, west of the city. He moved to the city in 1908 and bought the Central House. Six months later he sold out, and then engaged in the sale of farm machinery. After this he was employed for six years in the employ of the Chetek Lumber & Supply Co. For three years he worked in a restaurant and in the summer of 1919 purchased the establishment. He was appointed to his present position as manager of the warehouse of the Farmers Cooperative Potato Co. in 1920. He thoroughly knows his business, he is a good buyer and seller, he keeps informed as to

Digitized by Google

Digitized by

Google

MR. AND MRS. SEVERT SOLUM EDWARD SOLUM AND FAMILY MR. AND MRS. CHARLES CARLSON

545

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

the market and his dealings are characterized by fairness and good judgment. He is a man of pleasing address and enjoys an excellent standing in the com- munity. He and his wife are communicants of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Latshaw was married Nov. 6, 1901, at Clatonia, Neb., to Minnie Josephine Albert, daughter of Henry and Emma Albert. Mr. and Mrs. Latshaw have four children : Devereaux, born April 7, 1903; Alberta, born Nov. 2, 1905; Grace, born May 30, 1910; and Henry, born May 25, 1914. Henry Albert came from Germany in the early days and was a pioneer of Gage County, Nebr., settling on a farm on which the town of Clatonia is now located. At that time the country was wild and the buffalo were still numerous. His wife was a native of Ohio. In the Albert family there were thirteen children: Anna, John, Amelia and David are dead. Ella is the wife of Frank Jones of Clatonia, Nebr. Frank is on the old homestead there. Minnie Josephine is the wife of David C. Latshaw. Augusta, wife of George Lydick, Effie wife of Frank Chittenden, and Benjamin, all live in Clatonia. Alma, wife of Roy Barkey, is dead. Daniel and Clara, wife of Ed. Chittenden, are in Clatonia.

Severt Solum, a rugged pioneer of Chetek Township, was born in Norway, May 16, 1845, and was there reared and educated. He came to the United States as a young man and for a while lived in various places. He came to Chetek Township in 1873 with his wife and two children, Severt and Julia, and located on 160 acres of wild land. He erected a log cabin, 16 feet square, and moved into it with his family, doing considerable of his work in connec- tion with Erick Gilseth, a brother-in-law. Each had an ox, so by pooling their interests they managed to get quite a little clearing done. Mr. Solum had a cow or two, which proved valuable for the children. All the furniture such as the bed, table, chairs and the like, were manufactured by himself. He was a large man, of unusual vigor and vitality, strong and powerful of physique and able to do much more than an average man's daily work. To bring home supplies, weighing a hundred pounds or so, from points twenty or more miles away, was to him a comparatively easy task. Thus he labored on through the years, and in time built up a good place. He added to his land until he owned 280 acres, and he erected a good set of buildings. For a time he was one of the officials of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. About 1916 he retired and moved to Chetek. His first wife, Lena Bohrdal, died many years ago. His present wife was Mary Knudtson. Mr. Solum had nine children, three of whom are living, Severt, Betsey and Edward, and by his second wife had one child, which died in infancy.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 91

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1767

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1922
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1767